‘Totally and absolutely’: Pies president backs CEO amid racism row
Collingwood president Jeff Browne has thrown his support behind Craig Kelly amid bombshell racism claims, saying the chief executive wouldn’t “disrespect any other person”.
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Collingwood President Jeff Browne has strongly backed chief executive Craig Kelly.
When asked if he had full faith in the club’s chief executive, Mr Browne said “totally and absolutely”.
“I don’t think he (Mr Kelly) is the sort of person that would disrespect any other person
Mr Browne would not be drawn on whether Collingwood’s top brass were outwardly calling former staffer Mark Cleaver a liar, saying the matter needed to play out before the courts.
“Just wait to see the outcome of these proceedings before you finally make a judgment on that,” he said.
“We’re backing in Craig Kelly … and we intend to fight these proceedings and see them through to a judgment.”
Mr Browne said the former employee who made the explosive allegations, Mr Cleaver, had been dimissed from the club over conduct issues.
But would not comment further on the nature of Mr Clever’s alleged conduct.
“He was with us for six months – fairly short period of time.
“As a result of some other conduct, which came to light as a result of me examining his role, his employment was terminated – I terminated it.”
Mr Browne said Mr Clever’s termination had nothing to do with the complaints he had levelled against Mr Kelly.
Pressed on whether he could “categorically” state that Mr Kelly had not made the alleged comments, Mr Browne said the matter was before the courts.
“Well, you’ll find that those (claims) will be addressed in the defence in the legal proceedings,” he said.
The allegations were previously known to the club, and Collingwood’s head of people and culture, and an unnamed external expert in workplace relations had investigated the complaints.
Mr Browne said the investigation found no evidence of illegal behaviour and attempts at mediation with Mr Clever had failed.
“As a consequence of that, the complainant has now issued proceedings in the federal court,” Mr Browne said.
“The matter is before the court and that will be tested. What you’ve seen so far is the allegations, you haven’t seen the defence.
“Wait until you see that before you form any conclusions about the merit or otherwise of the allegations.
“The core of our defence will be the substance of the factual findings contained in the investigation.”
It comes as Mr Kelly arrived at Collingwood HQ early on Wednesday morning for crisis talks as another racism scandal engulfs the club.
Mr Kelly arrived at Olympic Park shortly after 7.30am, parking his LandCruiser as close as possible to the entrance and making no comment to waiting media.
The club chief executive was joined a short time later by president Jeff Browne and vice-president Jodie Sizer.
Mr Browne simply said “good morning everyone,” before being whisked inside the building by waiting staff.
The board members were always intending to gather at club HQ today for a celebration of Scott Pendlebury’s 400th AFL game, however attention has now been diverted to how to manage yet another scandal.
On Tuesday evening, the lawyer for the Pies’ former head of First Nations strategy called for the club to be stripped of premiership points if the fresh allegations of racism are proven in court.
Collingwood Football Club said in a statement on Tuesday night that it would defend itself against the explosive claims made by Mark Cleaver against chief executive Craig Kelly in the unfair dismissal application.
“The former staff member was employed by Collingwood for a period of six months. The employment ended for reasons unrelated to their concerns. Following their departure, the former staff member lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission but the matter was not resolved,” the Pies’ statement said.
“While it is unfortunate this situation has not been resolved, the club believes that it has acted lawfully and intends to defend the matter.
“Collingwood continues to work hard on our commitment of ensuring our environment and workplace is welcoming, safe and inclusive at all times, on and off the field.
“We take all matters raised seriously and when the former staff member raised matters internally in March this year, the club looked into those concerns in line with our organisation’s workplace policies and procedures.
“In addition to the internal process which took place, an external expert was engaged to review the findings. Both processes found no breach of workplace law.
“Following the conclusion of both processes, the former staff member made further allegations to Victoria Police, which examined them and determined not to take any further action.”
But Mr Cleaver’s lawyer, Maurice Blackburn principal Daniel Victory, said the latest allegations called “into question whether the Collingwood Football Club has learned anything from its multiple self-inflicted racism scandals”.
“We are entitled to expect more from a club that has promised to ‘do better’. The conduct alleged in this case has no place in society or any sporting club and especially not in a league that holds itself out as an agent for social change.
“Football fans have a right to feel let down once again by the Collingwood Football Club. The AFL should consider penalising premiership points from clubs if allegations like this are proven.”
Mr Cleaver was employed by the Magpies in November 2023 as part of a series of commitments after the “Do Better” scandal and resignation of long-time president Eddie McGuire.
“Do Better” was a secret report which found there was “systemic racism within the Collingwood Football Club that must be addressed if things are to change”.
The damning 35-page independent report, which was kept under wraps by McGuire’s board, said the club’s response to repeated incidents of racism “has been at best ineffective, or at worst exacerbated the impact”.
AFL spokesman Jay Allen confirmed that Mr Cleaver had lodged a complaint with league investigators in March.
“The AFL Integrity Unit was made aware of a workplace HR complaint by a Collingwood Football Club employee,” Mr Allen said.
“The matter was deemed a workplace issue for the club and was triaged to the club’s HR department to manage accordingly.”
Alan Thorpe, the head of an Indigenous family violence service embroiled in the dispute said he was “shocked” by racism claims from Mr Cleaver, who he’d believed was still in the job.
“I’m a little bit shocked because I wasn’t aware,” the Dardi Munwurro chief executive said.
Mr Thorpe said his wife Aunty Carol, who was allegedly called a “dumb old bitch” by chief executive Craig Kelly, according to court documents, “would be devastated to hear that comment”.
“I really like Mark, I really felt he was bringing some good stuff (to the club),” Mr Thorpe said.
“I’m really sorry to hear that (Mr Cleaver had been terminated) … I had a really good experience with Mark, I felt he was really trying to fix some things.
“That was the first time I was aware (Mr Cleaver) wasn’t there any more.
“I just hope he’s OK and his welfare is OK, it’s a big thing to do.”
Regarding Dardi Munwurro’s funding, Mr Thorpe told the Herald Sun that Collingwood and the organisation had “resolved the issue and we moved forward”.
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